I need some help. I will start the puréed stage in about a week. At about the same time college football season starts. My dilemma is the group of friends I watch games with have always gone to BW3 (they are superstitious so no changing the gathering place). Any suggestions for eating something while I'm there? It's going to be a huge challenge. I really want to go. I know my friends will be very supportive. I'm just trying to figure out a way to "fit in" and be part of the group. I thought about not eating, but usually when you sit for 3-4 hours in a restaurant you need to buy something. Any thoughts? Thanks.

That is a hard restaurant to do even not on purees. I would just sip water or ice tea. I personally would leave a better than usual tip when I am taking up a seat, and not ordering. That is great your friends are supportive. I was filling in my schedule realizing our family tradition of eating out after my sons games will be hard as I will be on purees also.

Can you have chili? I couldn't on puree stage but I know some people can. If you can, I know they have chili there, perhaps you can convince them to sell you a small bowl of it. I guess they usually use it for nacho dip, hamburger dressing, etc.

If not, honestly, I don't see anything that is puree friendly. This may be a time where you just have to kind of suck it up and be the odd one out. I guess you could eat the queso dip with a spoon but that almost seems like it would be odder than not eating at all.

Queso dip will most likely cause a lot of stomach issues.

Just skip eating. I've done it many times and never had a problem, especially if you are with a group. What's one more chair at the table?

Your puree stage will fly by and you will be onto soft foods soon enough. BWW still won't be too diet friendly, but you can't eat much anyways, so the insides of the fish tacos or maybe some chili at that point will be fine.

Soups are always a good option. When I was at this stage, I would explain that I recently had stomach surgery and would ask them to puree the soup. I had chili, clam chowder, vegetable beef soups at restaurants and never had an issue with them pureeing them for me.

I figure I will simply grab a glass of water and just enjoy the game and friends. My motto is "if you don't ask, you don't know", so I will tell them I had stomach surgery ad see if there is anything they can do for me. Worst case, they say "no" and I just have my water and leave a tip. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and suggestions.

Soups are always a good option. When I was at this stage, I would explain that I recently had stomach surgery and would ask them to puree the soup. I had chili, clam chowder, vegetable beef soups at restaurants and never had an issue with them pureeing them for me.

I agree with the soup! Most all places have a soup and even if it has chunks in it you should be able to chew it to a puree state. My doctor is a little more progressive with the foods and I was eating mushy foods by week 2. My first one was chili from Steak N shake and I was very careful about chewing it do death and actually I could only eat a tiny amount before I was stuffed but it was so good!! It is scary to go to a restaurant and feel like you can't have a thing and you might feel some sadness while they eat all your old favorites but just looks at each bite they take and realize you are doing something great for yourself. It is a little hard first at the restaurant but it does get easier and when you start eating you get so stuffed you can't even think about eating the other stuff. You will come out of there feeling great about yourself......Promise!!

I agree with the soup! Most all places have a soup and even if it has chunks in it you should be able to chew it to a puree state. My doctor is a little more progressive with the foods and I was eating mushy foods by week 2. My first one was chili from Steak N shake and I was very careful about chewing it do death and actually I could only eat a tiny amount before I was stuffed but it was so good!! It is scary to go to a restaurant and feel like you can't have a thing and you might feel some sadness while they eat all your old favorites but just looks at each bite they take and realize you are doing something great for yourself. It is a little hard first at the restaurant but it does get easier and when you start eating you get so stuffed you can't even think about eating the other stuff. You will come out of there feeling great about yourself......Promise!!

Thanks Beach Lover. I love your name. Best summer vacations were and are always at the beach. I look forward to wearing a new suit next year that will show off my new body!